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The world’s biggest celebration of faith is almost here - Pages 10-11
Some blame Richard Dawkins for falling Church participation. They should look closer to home... Pages 12-13
WYD ‘13
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therecord.com.au
DIVORCE
Horizon House offers much-needed refuge for mums, babies By Ramona Szell
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HOU SE w hi ch accommodates and supports young women who are pregnant and homeless, has won a national award for innovation in social services. Horizon House in Dianella supports homeless young women through pregnancy and their journey into motherhood, teaching life skills until they can secure safe accommodation and independence. The Norma Parker Award for most innovative program in social services was presented at the Catholic Social Services Awards ceremony in Canberra on June 24. Horizon House operates in partnership with St John of God Hospital which funds the organisation to keep it running. The house is the first port of call for women experiencing crisis pregnancies. With approximately 100 volunteers helping to start up the house with renovations, furniture and financial help from the hospital, Horizon House has proved that, with plenty of hard work and dedication, many in the community are willing to care for mothers in these situations. Since the opening of Horizon House, 11 babies have been born with the full
support of staff and carers from St John of God. There is no maximum length of stay and the organisation does whatever it can to ensure the women don’t return to homelessness. Horizon House specialises in helping women who are vulnerable or at risk of being homeless with specific assistance provided for education, training and employment opportunities. St John of God manager for youth services Mike Board said that since opening, staff have noticed the majority of residents did not fall pregnant while they were homeless, but became homeless through disagreements with partners and parents after falling pregnant. The service is fully funded by the government with support from St John of God which also provides eight centres for postnatal care. Anne Russell-Brown, Group Director for St John of God Social Outreach and Advocacy Services, said that while there was still much work ahead, the organisation was proud of its achievements to date. “We are delighted to receive this award, which has resulted from great collaboration between numerous not-forprofit and government organisations,” she said.
Young mother Chrissy cradles her son Brayden at Horizon House in Dianella. Horizon House, a residence for homeless mothers, has won a national award for the social services it offers.
PHOTO: ROBERT HIINI
He may be gone, but decree from Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI takes effect in Perth...
Year of Faith indulgence By Mark Reidy
Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI
ARCHBISHOP Timothy Costelloe SDB has announced six days on which Catholics within the Archdiocese of Perth can obtain a Plenary Indulgence before the Year of Faith concludes on November 24. Archbishop C o s t e l l o e’s announcement followed on from a decree of Pope Benedict XVI issued on September 14 last year which authorised local bishops to designate specific days within their dioceses on which indulgences could be obtained.
Archbishop Costelloe has nominated the following dates for Perth: l The Feast of St James the Apostle (Thursday, July 25) l The Solemnity of St Mary of the Cross MacKillop (Thursday, August 8) l The Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross (Saturday, September 14) l The Memoria of St Francis of Assisi (Friday, October 4) l The Solemnity of All Saints (Friday, November 1) l The Solemnity of Christ the King (Sunday, November 24), also
the final day of the Year of Faith. The decree outlined a total of four ways in which the faithful could obtain the Year of Faith indulgences, indicating, however, that they could only be received by faithful who are “truly penitent, take Sacramental Confession and the Eucharist and pray in accordance with the intentions of the Supreme Pontiff ”. The means offered in Pope Emeritus Benedict’s decree are: l Each time they attend at least three sermons during the Holy Missions, or at least three lessons
on the Acts of the Council or the articles of the Catechism of the Catholic Church, in church or any other suitable location. l Each time they visit, in the course of a pilgrimage, a papal basilica, a Christian catacomb, a cathedral church or a holy site designated by the local ordinary for the Year of Faith (for example, minor basilicas and shrines dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Holy Apostles or patron saints), and there participate in a sacred celebration, or at least remain for a Continued on Page 9